Basonge. See [BALUBA].
Basques. One of the few non-Aryan races still existing in Europe, where they inhabit the districts on the French and Spanish sides of the Western Pyrenees. They originally occupied a much wider area in this neighbourhood, and preserve their ancient costume and language. Their ethnological affinities are still in dispute, but the best opinion is that they represent the ancient [Iberians] (q.v.), a Western Hamitic race, related to the Berbers of North Africa on the one hand and to the Picts of Scotland and the ancient Irish on the other. Probably they have occupied their present home since Neolithic times. They are mainly agriculturists, with all the rustic virtues, and make excellent soldiers and servants.
Bassas. See [LIBERIAN GROUP].
Bastaards. See [GRIQUAS].
Bastarnæ. See [GOTHS].
Basutos. The most civilised race of Bantu Negroes, of the Bechuana stock, who inhabit the rugged uplands of Basutoland, a British Crown Colony. They have long been subjected to European and Christian influence, under which they have presented the sole instance of a pure negro community, which has made itself self-supporting and approximately civilised. They have succeeded in assimilating Western culture, and their little State—which always preserved its independence against other natives and Boers—is a very flourishing example of what the negro can do under favourable auspices.
Batanga. Bantu Negroes of the Cameroons.
Batavi. An ancient German race inhabiting the island formed by the Meuse and an arm of the Rhine. Ancestors of the modern Dutch.
Bateke. Bantu Negroes of Congo, above Stanley Pool.
Batjans. See [INDONESIAN].